Cancer-fighting Amanda Smith told to plan for the worst is instead rattling through her bucket list

A MUM-of-two diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer has decided to fill her life rather than plan for her death.

Amanda Smith, 32, from Canvey, has already raised more than £2,000 for Bowel Cancer UK while ticking off her bucket list as the cancer spread to her lungs and liver.

She said: “I was diagnosed on August 10, but it was back in April when I initially complained of pains in my side, but my doctor told me I had just pulled a muscle and to rest. I got on with normal life and even went to Mallorca with my family.

“What’s scary is the fact this doctor told me not to worry and asked me what I think it could be and I did say ‘cancer’.

“I just wish it had been caught sooner and that’s why I want to raise awareness about knowing your body and knowing what symptoms are.”

Amanda relies on her positive attitude to get her through and tries to carry on with her daily life as much as she can, while ticking off the list of the things she wants to do before she dies.

So far, Amanda, who has children, Amira, seven, and Khalid, four, with husband Mo, 41, has managed to be a model for the day, have afternoon tea and ride a horse, but she still has some ambitious dreams to complete such as a Disney cruise, a trip to Lapland, and a Chanel handbag - her husband bought her Jimmy Choo shoes that were also on her list.

Amanda added: “Someone asked what drugs I’m on and I don’t even know - I don’t even want to know. I know it sounds silly but I just want to try and live normally and be with the kids. There was no way I was going to start planning my funeral. I’m even lucky enough to still have my hair.”

To donate and help support the charity you can visit justgiving.com/fundraising/amanda-smith126

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